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Abstract
Crop diversification is of interest to many vegetable growers. However, inadequate marketing knowledge and insufficient cultural and economic information greatly increases the risks associated with diversifying into new, nontraditional, specialty crops. A state or regional effort integrating marketing concerns, production requirements, and economic considerations would assist growers in determining viable options for diversification, while minimizing these risks. This multidisciplined cooperation would provide reliable recommendations and guidelines to growers concerning potential new crops. Such an approach would not necessarily develop specific markets for individual growers, but rather it would define marketing opportunities on a state or regional basis. Individuals could then use the methodology to ascertain specific marketing niches and tailor at least a portion of their production accordingly.